BIG FIRE AT KAIAPOI

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12660, 21 January 1927, Page 4

BIG FIRE AT KAIAPOI

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE CAUSED BY ELEOTRJC IRON. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, January 20. - Damage expected to amount to some thousands Pf pounds was caused this afternoon by an outbreak of fire at tne nig establishment of Blackwell’s, Ltd., Kaiqpoi importers and genetal nier■cnantq on the corner of High and Raven streefs, Kaiapoi. The fire, which started In thp workroom of the dressm a (ting deportment on the first iloor, is supposed to hgvp been caused by a heated electric iron, the current being on accidentally. Tl)e fir 6 had a good hold pf the dressmaking room when the alarm was sounded, and owing to dense smoke the brigade wap .considerably hampered in getting it under control, The dressmaking workroom and furnishing department ph he top floor were badly damaged by fire and water and extensive damage WOO also caused by water to the millinery, mantle and clothing department <jn the ground floor.

Recently the dressmaking room, which was not permanently used for tKe purposes of dressmaking was converted into A storeroom, ft ip understood that someone went into the wprk room to use the electric iron, but finding the power cut off went qut. T,afer, However. the power came op, and it is surmised that in consequence of the switch not being turned off in the room the heated iron started the fire. The building js insured with the London and Lancashire Insurance Co. "or £11,500, and tln» contents for X12.Q00 in the same offiee.